CHAPTER 33 #2
“That’s a good question,” she said. “I understand why I was denied before.” She looked straight at Colter, but she wasn’t going to call him or any of the others out in this forum.
“I believe what you were all looking for wasn’t just to give out a plaque that gets attached to a building that used to matter.
There are so many of those all over this city.
Some don’t exist anymore, unfortunately, because of time or storms, but my simple brick building is still here, standing strong.
I’ve left it to do just that on its own for a long time, but now, it’s not just history.
I’m making it relevant again. It’s about what it can do for the city. ”
“Okay. Thank you,” the councilor said and looked over at the other officials.
“How much more anticipated revenue do you believe your moves will make for yourself and the city in taxes?” Colter asked.
“I have provided those numbers in the application, but I’m happy to go over them again, if needed,” Maisie replied and heard India clear her throat.
She knew it was her without even turning around, so she smiled a little and added, “I’m also expanding my online system, which will bring in even more. ”
“But no more jobs if it’s online,” Colter argued.
“Actually, it will.”
“But not in New Orleans, right? At some distribution facility in–”
“In New Orleans, sir,” she said. “Not right away, but I expect to need at least three new people within the next month or two in order to handle the increase in traffic in the store and online. After that, I have some projections that my consultant worked up for me. She’s here if you need her to answer any questions, but we plan to use part of the Southern Roastery approved project to provide extra space for Chapter & Verse without damaging the building itself. ”
“That project is a parking garage,” Mr. Jameson said.
“Yes, but it also has a day care and a gym inside it, and it’ll have additional space for my shop as well. I’ll be paying rent to Southern Roastery in exchange for that space, as well as a few parking spots. That’s also in my application.”
Colter looked over Maisie’s shoulder. Maisie turned to see India lifting an eyebrow at him, as if to say, ‘I dare you to question me.’ Colter then cleared his throat similarly to how India had just done moments earlier.
“We have other items on the agenda tonight. I think we can vote on this,” the only female councilor said. “Agreed?”
There were a few nods, and a couple of them said yes. Maisie hadn’t expected that. The previous two times she had been here, there had been more questions for her, and they’d needed to deliberate.
“On the issue of granting historical landmark status to Chapter & Verse, what say you? Yay or nay?”
“Yay,” one councilor said.
“Yay,” another one said.
“Nay,” the third councilor offered.
Maisie swallowed.
“Yay,” another one said.
She only needed one more vote to go for her, so while there were still three councilors left to vote, Maisie liked her chances. It was Colter’s turn to voice his vote next, though, and she never knew what this man would do.
“Yay,” he said.
“Motion carries. Chapter & Verse will receive historical landmark status at a date in time worked out at a later date. Next item on the agenda is the rezoning of…”
Maisie didn’t hear the rest of whatever the woman was saying because that applause erupted again. She stood there motionless, trying to determine whether this was real or not.
“You did it, babe,” India said, wrapping her up in her arms. “You did it!”
Maisie hugged her back, still a little zoned out and overwhelmed to be able to process it all.
“Finally!” Lainey said from somewhere around.
“Congrats!” Maisie wasn’t sure who had said that.
“Order,” the councilor said loudly. “We’ll have order. We have a meeting to finish.”
“Sorry,” Maisie said and felt something warm and wet trickle down her cheeks. “We should go,” she added to India.
“Just take a second,” India said with a wide smile and wiped at the tears. “Just a second to enjoy this. You did this.”
“Are you sure it wasn’t that eyebrow you lifted at your brother in anger?”
India laughed and said, “Hey, I resisted jumping up and threatening to reveal that he wet his bed until he was ten, so I think I should get a prize.”
“I’m sure Maisie will give you a prize later. Can I hug my best friend, please?” Lainey said.
“Outside,” Maisie replied. “Let’s go before they change their minds.”
“Drinks on me at the bar!” Candace yelled when they were on the steps outside.
“Hell, yeah!” Caroline said.
“Only thing is you have to try one of the three drinks I’ve narrowed down for my wedding.”
“All your drinks are good, so not a problem,” Jill said, taking Willa’s hand. “Babe?”
“I’m in,” Willa replied.
“Congrats, Maisie. That’s great news,” Finley said as she wrapped her arm around Molly’s shoulders.
“Yeah, congrats,” Molly said. “This is huge.”
Maisie turned to India, who was standing there, looking proud in Maisie’s direction.
“Yes, it is,” she said, knowing that India understood her meaning.